Xiaomi and Huawei Race to Outpace Apple’s Foldable iPhone

Chinese tech giants Xiaomi and Huawei are intensifying their development of foldable smartphones to compete with Apple's rumored upcoming device. Early reviews of models like the Xiaomi 18 Fold highlight features consumers desire in Apple's entry.

8 Sept, 07:00 — 8 Sept, 16:11

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Why this matters

The foldable smartphone market is rapidly growing, and Apple’s delayed entry gives Chinese rivals Xiaomi and Huawei an opportunity to capture mindshare. The timing of their launches—just before Apple’s event—reflects an aggressive competitive strategy that could shape consumer expectations and market share.

Key entitiesXiaomi Huawei Apple Xiaomi 18 Fold iPhone Ultra Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8

The Story

What 3 sources agree on, dispute, and miss

What sources agree on

Xiaomi launched the 18 Fold foldable phone
Apple is rumored to unveil a foldable iPhone at an upcoming event
Both Xiaomi and Huawei have launched new foldables ahead of Apple's event

Key claims2 agreed · 2 unverified

✓

Xiaomi launched the 18 Fold day before Apple's event

agreed·cnbcvgforbes

✓

Apple's event is rumored to include the unveiling of a foldable iPhone (Ultra)

agreed·cnbcvgforbes

Huawei also launched a new foldable phone

unverified·cnbc

Xiaomi 18 Fold has a 200MP camera and telephoto sensor

unverified·forbes

Where they diverge

Framing of the competitive timing

cnbc

Presents it as a strategic race to get ahead of Apple's product launch

Frames the launches as a deliberate attempt to steal the spotlight from Apple's announcement

forbes

Focuses on personal experience with the Xiaomi 18 Fold and what it suggests for Apple's device

Coverage gaps

Huawei's specific foldable launch is only mentioned by CNBC; VG and Forbes focus exclusively on Xiaomi

Reportedcnbc

Missingvgforbes

Specific camera specs (200MP, telephoto sensor) and comparison with Galaxy Z Fold 8 are only covered by Forbes

Reportedforbes

Missingcnbcvg

The Story

Analyzing sources…

Source Diversity

Moderate (42/100)

3 sources25/33

Spectrum spread— 2/5 buckets covered8/33

Far L

Left1

Left (1)

cnbc

Center2

Center (2)

vgforbes

Right

Far R

Geographic diversity— 2 regions9/34

US2Norway1

Political spectrum

LeftCenterRight

cnbc

forbes

Outlet rating This story

SourceOutletiGeneral editorial lean of the outletStoryiHow they covered this specific storyToneFactuality

cnbccentercenter-leftanalyticalMostly FactualFocuses on corporate strategy and market competition

vgcentercentersensational—Sensationalized framing of spotlight stealing

forbes

Coverage leans: center

The coverage is largely non-political and focuses on product launches and competitive dynamics, with no major ideological slant across the three outlets.

Sources

Showing 2 of 3 sources

cnbcMostly Factual1h ago

Chinese giants Xiaomi, Huawei race to get ahead of Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone

Xiaomi and Huawei launched new foldables ahead of Apple’s event, where the company is rumored to unveil its first foldable iPhone.

Read full article →

forbes10h ago

I Tried The Xiaomi 18 Fold And This Is What I Want From Apple’s Foldable iPhone Ultra

I tried the Xiaomi 18 Fold ahead of Apple's foldable iPhone Ultra launch. It also takes on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 with a wider display, 200MP camera and a telephoto sensor.

By Prakhar Khanna, Contributor

Read full article →

Coverage Timeline

First report: forbes · 8 Sept, 07:00|Full coverage: 3 · 9h|Window: 9h

Left-leaningCenterRight-leaning

forbes8 Sept, 07:00First to report

I Tried The Xiaomi 18 Fold And This Is What I Want From Apple’s Foldable iPhone Ultra

2h later

vg8 Sept, 08:48

Prøver de å stjele iPhone Ultra-rampelyset?

7h later

cnbc8 Sept, 16:11Latest update

Xiaomi and Huawei Race to Outpace Apple’s Foldable iPhone

Why this matters

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims2 agreed · 2 unverified

Where they diverge

Coverage gaps

The Story

Source Diversity

Source Diversity

Political spectrum

Sources

Chinese giants Xiaomi, Huawei race to get ahead of Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone

I Tried The Xiaomi 18 Fold And This Is What I Want From Apple’s Foldable iPhone Ultra

Coverage Timeline

I Tried The Xiaomi 18 Fold And This Is What I Want From Apple’s Foldable iPhone Ultra

Prøver de å stjele iPhone Ultra-rampelyset?

Chinese giants Xiaomi, Huawei race to get ahead of Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone

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Why this matters

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims2 agreed · 2 unverified

Where they diverge

Coverage gaps

Political spectrum

Coverage matrix